Psychedelics

Psychedelics are drugs that induce states of altered perception, behaviour, consciousness and thought, often with increased awareness of the senses. Read more about Psychedelics, Meaning, Regulation, Categories, Latest News.

Psychedelics
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Psychedelics Latest News

Recent study revealed that Psychedelics can temporarily ‘loosen’ the brain patterns that support the feeling of a ‘me’, allowing researchers to watch that system reorganise itself in real time.

About Psychedelics

  • These are drugs that induce states of altered perception, behaviour, consciousness and thought, often with increased awareness of the senses.
  • Psychedelics are non-addictive and non-toxic. Compared to illicit drugs, psychedelics cause much less harm to the end user.
  • The term ‘psychedelic’ comes from two Greek words denoting mind or soul and manifesting.
  •  It is a subset of psychotropic substances that can alter a person’s thoughts and perceptions, and elicit intense hallucinations.
  • Most psychedelics work by increasing the availability of serotonin—a mood stabilising hormone—in the brain by binding to serotonin receptors (a molecule on the cell surface that binds to a specific chemical, causing a specific effect).
  • Regulation in India: In India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 prohibits the use of psychedelic substances. 
  • These are categorised into two broad categories
    • Classical psychedelics: These are thought to trigger hallucinations by activating a receptor called serotonin 5-HT, which is widely present in the human body, from the gastrointestinal tract to platelets to the nervous system. Examples: LSD, psilocybin and DMT
    • Nonclassical psychedelics: These psychedelics bind to varied receptors. Examples: ketamine and MDMA
  • Used for research: Five psychedelics are the subject of clinical research for use in treating mental health problems: psilocybin; lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA); ketamine and N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Source: TH

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Psychedelics FAQs

Q1. What is a common characteristic of psychedelics?+

Q2. What is a potential therapeutic use of psychedelics?+

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